Nut-lock.



Patented Oct. 2, |900. N. STAFFORD.

No. 659,0ol.

N U T L 0 C K (Application tiled Apr. 16, 1900.)

LNo Model.)

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ms Noam: Pzfsns co. narrano-4o., wAsmNuroN, nA c.

INITFD STAT-Fs APATENT OFFICE.

NELSON STAFFORD, AOF NEW YORK, N. Y.

NUT-LOCK.

.SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 659,001, dated October2, 1900.

Application led April 16, 1900.

My invention relates to a lock-plate having:

holes to receive the nuts of the boli-s connecting the ishfplates at themeeting ends of railway-rails, the object being to prevent'the nutsturning and working loose. Heretofore these lock-plates have beenprovided'with integrali tang ends bent and passed in behind the ends ofthe fish-plates; but on account of the very y small space between thefish-plate andthe rail it Was difficult to form a bend of sufficientlength to hold rmly, and the same were liable to loosen and work out ofshape; and the object of my invention is to overcome these difficulties.

In carrying out my invention I provide the lock-plates, having holes toreceive the nuts of the bolts, preferably with a curved upper edgeconforming to the shape of the fish-plate at its upper edge, whereby theplate is kept true and an upward`inoveme11t prevented, and therebystiening the lock-plate and tending to keep out dirt anddus't betweenthe fishplate and rail; but the lock-plates may be made flat or withboth their upper and lower edges curved. One end of the lock-plate isprovided with a tang bent to pass around one end of the [ish-plate, andthere is a perforation in the other end of the lock-plate, and I employa yoke-plate adapted to be connected to the perforated end of thelock-plate by arivet-pin or equivalent device. This yokeplate is passedover the opposite end of the fish-plate, and a pin or rivet is passedthrough a perforation in the yoke-plate and through the perforation inthe end of the lock-plate to connect and lock the parts together, thesaid pin or rivet either being upset or bent over for that purpose. Itwill be obvious that the rivet-pin may be made integral with theyoke-plate, if desired.

In the drawings, Figure l is an elevation representing my improvement.Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section at x x of Fig. I. Fig. 3 is across-section at 4y y of Fig. l, and Fig. 4

Serial No. 13,028. \No model.)

is a plan View of the lock-plate. Fig. 5 is an elevation showing amodified form, and Fig. 6 is a perspective View7 of the yoke-platealone.

The rails ot a and the fish-plates b the bolts 2, passing through theiish-plates, and the rails and the nuts 3 upon the ends of the bolts areall of usual construction and do not require further description.

The lock-plate c is of approximately the length of the [ish-plate, andthe same is provided with holes 5 at intervals corresponding with theposition of the nuts 3, the said holes passing over andreceiving thesaid nuts regardless of whether the nuts are square or hexagonal, theslots being of a length and so placed as to accommodate the positions ofthe various bolts.

` One end of the lock-plate c shown in the drawings at the right-handend is provided with a tang c. This tang, as shown in Figs. l and 2, maybe a separate piece riveted to the plate or, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5,an

integral portion. In any event the tang is bent so as to pass around oneend of the fishplate and connect the plate to the surface of thefish-plate and prevent a longitudinal movement of the plate toward theleft-hand side. The other end of the lock-plate at the left hand isprovided with one or more perforations, and I employ the yoke-plate d,adapted to pass over or straddle the end of the fish-plate, and theyoke-plate is provided with a pin 4, projecting from the surface thereofor with a perforation through which a pin or rivet may be passed. Inconnecting the lock-plate c in place and holding and preventing the nutsfrom accidentally turning the tang c is slipped over the end of thefishplate, the lock-plate c passed over the nuts, the yoke-plate CZmeanwhile being slipped over the other end of the fish-plate, and thepin or rivet 4 is then inserted and either riveted up or bent to oneside to connect the lock-plate and the yoke-plate, so that the plate isheld in position.

The upper edge of the lock-plate c is preferably curved to conform tothe upper edge vss IOO

ward movement of the said plate. This curved edge performs this latterfunction in connection with the plate c, as will be seen by reference toFig. 5, in which construction the lower edge of the plate may be simplynotched to receive the nuts instead of the plate being provided withholes or mortises.

The form shown in Figs. land 2 is preferable, because therein two edgesof the plate c abut against two opposite edges of the nuts 3, while withthe construction shown in Fig. there would only be one edge of the platecontacting with one edge of the nuts to prevent the sameaccidentallyturning and loos ening.

Where the tang c' is made of a separate piece from the loclcplate c andriveted or otherwise secured thereto, it permits of the tang being madeof thicker or heavier metal than the lock-plate.

The nut-holes in the lock-plate being elongated permit the easy placingof the tang c' around one end of the fish-plate and the fitting of thelock-plate in the desired position over the nuts before the yoke-plateatthe opposite end is putl in position and secured to 'the lock-plate.

I claim as my inventionl. A nut-lock comprising a plate having openingsto receive the nuts and a curved upper edge, a tang at one end bent toengage one end of the fish-plate and the Otherend of said plate providedwith a perforation and a yoke-plate adapted to engage the opposite endof the fish-plate and having a projecting pin to pass into theperforation in the end of the lock-plate and engage the same,substantially as set forth.

2. A nut-lock comprising a plate of approximately the length of thefish-plate connection having spaced-apart holes or mortiscs to receivethe nuts, acurvcd upper edge conforming to the fish-plate and comingbeneath the tread of the rail, a tang at one end bent to pass around theend of the fish-plate land the opposite end provided with a perforation,a yoke-plate adapted to pass over or straddle the opposite end of thefish-plate and having a projecting pin to pass through the perforationin the end of the plate and to be riveted or otherwise connected theretoin securing the parts, substantially as se'l forth.

3. A nut-lock comprising a plate having openings to receive the nuts, atang at one end bent to engage one end of the'tish-plate and theotherend of said plate provided with a perforation, a yoke-plate adaptedto straddle and engage the opposite end of the fishplate, anda pinfot-connecting the yokefplat'e and the plate with openings at its endperforation, substantially as set forth.

4. Anut-lockcolnprisingaplateofapproximately the length of thefish-plate connection having spaced-apart holes or mortises to receivethe nuts, and a perforation in one end, a tang at the other end bent topass around one end of the fish-plate, a yoke-plato adapted to pass overor straddle the opposite end of the fish-plate and havinga projectingpin to pass through the perforation in the cn d of the lock-plate and tobe riveted or otherwise connected thereto in securing the parts,substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 12th day of April, 1900.

N. STAFFORD.

Vti tnesses:

GEO. T. PINCKNEY, S. T. IIAVILAND.

